The philosophy of empathy - Routledge reference

Overview of the book Philosophy of Empathy - Routledge Reference - Heidi Al Maiboum: Empathy has played a central role in history, and it still holds the same importance in contemporary studies of ethics and emotions, but it has not yet received the exploration and research it deserves commensurate with its centrality; thus, "Routledge Reference in the Philosophy of Empathy" — the first of its kind in this field — represents an indispensable source for the key issues and problems within this fascinating domain. The reference contains more than thirty chapters written by a team of the most skilled researchers in this field, divided into five parts: • Fundamental issues. • The history of empathy.. empathy and understanding.. empathy and ethics.. empathy in art and aesthetics.. empathy and individual differences. These sections discuss central topics and issues such as empathy and imagination, empathy and neuroscience, theories of David Hume and Adam Smith, understanding altruism and moral responsibility, art and aesthetics, literature, and the relationship of empathy with each of them. This book is a fundamental reference for students and researchers in philosophy, especially those researching ethics, philosophy of mind, and psychology, and it will also be of importance to researchers in related fields such as anthropology and social psychology.